Wednesday 30 March 2016, London. BFI Southbank today announces a season dedicated to one of the most influential and successful filmmakers in the history of cinema – the living legend, Steven Spielberg. This season, taking place at BFI Southbank during June and July, will feature more than 30 of the director’s best-loved films back on the big screen where they belong, These include Jaws (1975), ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Color Purple (1985) Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler’s List (1993), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Bridge of Spies (2015). The season will also feature an extended run of the sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Director’s Cut) (1977), re-released by Park Circus on Friday 27 May and screening in a glorious brand new 35mm print, exclusively at BFI Southbank.

Three time Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg needs little introduction. He is undoubtedly one of the most prominent filmmakers in Hollywood and has countless critically acclaimed, commercially successful credits to his name, as producer, director and writer. His latest film Bridge of Spies (2015) was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one, Mark Rylance for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The BFG (2016) again presents Rylance, who stars as the Big Friendly Giant, alongside 11 year old Ruby Barnhill as Sophie; Penelope Wilton and Rebecca Hall are among the others in the film to be released in the UK in July.

Full details of the season will be announced in due course.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

Press Contacts:

Liz Parkinson – Press Officer, BFI Southbank

[email protected] / 020 7957 8918

Elizabeth Dunk – Press Office Assistant [email protected] / 020 7985 8986

About the BFI The BFI is the lead body for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:  Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema  Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations  Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK  Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work  Promoting British film and talent to the world  Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences

The BFI Southbank is open to all. BFI members are entitled to a discount on all tickets. BFI Southbank Box Office tel: 020 7928 3232. Unless otherwise stated tickets are £11.00, concs £8.50 Members pay £1.50 less on any ticket - www.bfi.org.uk/southbank. Young people aged 25 and under can buy last minute tickets for just £3, 45 minutes before the start of screenings and events, subject to availability - http://www.bfi.org.uk/25-and-under. Tickets for FREE screenings and events must be booked in advance by calling the Box Office to avoid disappointment

BFI Shop The BFI Shop is stocked and staffed by BFI experts with over 1,200 book titles and 1,000 DVDs to choose from, including hundreds of acclaimed books and DVDs produced by the BFI. The benugo bar & kitchen Eat, drink and be merry in panoramic daylight. benugo’s décor is contemporary, brightly lit and playful with a lounge space, bar and dining area. The place to network, hang out, unpack a film, savour the best of Modern British or sip on a cocktail. There’s more to discover about film and television through the BFI. Our world-renowned archival collections, cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning resources are here to inspire you.

*** PICTURE DESK *** A selection of images for journalistic use in promoting BFI Southbank screenings can be found at www.image.net under BFI / BFI Southbank / Southbank 2016 / Steven Spielberg

For information about the re-release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Director’s Cut) please contact:

Jack Bell - Park Circus [email protected] / 0141 332 9867

About Park Circus: With offices in UK, USA and France, Park Circus is an impassioned and dynamic international film sales and distribution company with years of experience helping audiences around the world experience classic films back on the big screen. Park Circus represents a number of high profile studios and independent producers, including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, , Releasing International, Warner Bros. Pictures, , ITV Studios, Miramax, Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Cohen Film Collection, Exclusive Media, STUDIOCANAL, Revolution Studios, Renown Pictures, Woodfall Films, Icon Film Distribution, Channel Four Television Corporation, and Walt Disney Studios Motions Pictures. Park Circus was the pioneer in making classic films available for Digital Cinema with 1,400 classic films now available for theatrical distribution in this format. Park Circus Limited is part of the Arts Alliance Limited group of companies.